Effects of alcohol on dental health
As they say, alcohol in limited amount is good for your heart and health. But sometimes we tend to forget the word LIMITED and end up in excessive consumption and get addicted. Not only to your general health but alcohol also have negative impacts on your oral health status. Gum diseases, decay, dry mouth, ulcers and mouth sores and staining are more common in alcoholics as compared to non alcoholics.
Oral Cancel
Alcohol is 2nd most common cause of ORAL CANCER. Adverse effects of alcohol are increased manifold when taken along with smoking or tobacco which is usual in almost 80% of individuals.
Immediate effects
Alcohol being acidic lowers the ph of mouth as well as your gut. This leads to acidity which causes regurgitation of fluids. Regular and excessive alcohol consumption disturbs the ph of mouth and gut. This is a common cause of recurrent and painful ulcers.
Dehydration is most common side effect of alcohol. Oral cavity too won’t remain unaffected by dehydration of alcohol leading to dry mouth.
Saliva gives moisturisation and lubrication and help to wash off bacterias residing on tooth surface. Lack of salivation increases bacterial density in your mouth. Niche of bacteria over your teeth promotes both calculus formation and decay.
This implies that alcoholics get more prone to cavities and gum diseases commonly known as piorrhea.
Piorrhea is advanced stage of gum disease as a consequence of continuous calculus formation over your teeth. This gradually results in swollen bleeding gums, pus formation between gums and teeth, recession of gums, loosening of teeth and finally tooth loss if not taken care of. Incidence of root canals are more in alcoholics.
To avoid this try to stay hydrated and drink water in between your drinks. Chewing gums or candies also help increasing salivary flow.
Long term use effects
Alcohol is also a reason for discoloration of teeth. And if you are in love with red wines, then be ready for teeth discoloration and overall dullness. You may love wine but your teeth won’t ever love it because it will eventually make them unsightly. But occasionally taking a glass or so won’t affect your teeth much.
Alcohol being acidic have the tendency to irritate the tissues and skin in our mouth which is very delicate. This therefore delays the healing time after any surgery or trauma.
Not only to soft tissues,regular or excessive exposure to alcohol erodes the outer layer of teeth too which is hardest matter in our body. Eventually abrasion of upper layer of teeth leads to sensitive teeth.
Solution to the problem associated with alcohol is to drink alcohol in moderation. Stay hydrated always in between your drinks. Visit your dentist every 6 months to get a proper follow up. Brush twice and use interdental brushes or floss to keep the areas between teeth clean and debris free. Use mouth wash as per your dentist recommendations.
Moderation required
It is good to enjoy life and take a drink or two but always take care that it never goes beyond that limit when it start posing health hazards. Alcohol in moderate amounts is not documented to have much adverse effects though.